Non-Commercial Art

source: Modern Art, by Hunter, Jacobus, Wheeler, painting: by Picasso, 3 Musicians 

     This image is of 3 musicians all created of similarly square shapes and in close proximity. These characters are all contained in the dark background. And the bright colors in the middle create a strong focal point. 

Symbolic Colors

source: Modern Art, by: Hunter, Jacobus, Wheeler, painting: Jasper Johns

     This image uses red, white, and blue in an abstract three American flag layout. The colors are said to have no specific meaning but have been said to have many meanings by many artists, writers, songs, etc. Charles Thompson (Secretary of the Continental Congress) stated  "White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief." I have heard it called a symbol of freedom. Jasper Johns is quoted as saying the image describes "things the mind already knows," "utterly familiar."

Color Discord

source: Modern Art, by: Hunter, Jacobus, Wheeler, painting by: Karol Appel

          This painting uses color discord and aggressive stroke/mark making to create a chaotic image with lots of tension. The colors are highly saturated making each very vibrant. And they are placed next to white and black often enough to isolate them or disconnect them creating tension. On the color wheel these colors would be found far from each other.

Creativity

 

source: M. C. Escher: Visions of Symmetry, by: Doris Schattschneider

     These two images show the before process and final created image. To me this shows creativity. It shows some of the thoughts and experiments that came first and where then ended up. From concept art to final piece.

Color Harmony Rules

source: Rebus, by James Jean

Analogous Colors

source: Joseph Muller Brockmann Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design, written by Lars Muller

Triadic color 

source: Joseph Muller Brockmann Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design, written by Lars Muller

Complimentary Colors

source: Rebus, by James Jean

Monochromatic colors

source: Joseph Muller Brockmann Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design, written by Lars Muller

Analogous Colors

Color Inspiration

  

            source: CMYK, issue 23, back cover, PeteMcArthur.com

     This photograph illustrates some examples of color theory quite well. First, the warm color of red hair or orange comes forward, while the blue/purple background recedes. The focal point of the yellow bow relates to the intensity and purity characteristic of the yellow hue. The middle ground uses blue, red, white and black, this creates a color interaction that recedes and advances. Overall the split color scheme creates a color environment and atmosphere. The light source creates an effect on the colors similar to that of the opponent theory of color giving this image an electric glow. The image has some whimsical harmonies that for me seem to resolve in tension, disharmony, or a veiled mystery, and that is why along with the vibrant colors is why I made this choice. 

Positive/Negative Space

source: artist: David de Ramon,  in Spectrum 13, edited by Cathy Fenner and Arnie Fenner

     The positive and negative space in this image work together. The positive space is filled with shapes that are mimicked in the negative space. The shapes in the foreground and background fit together like a puzzle at times creating a harmonious balance and rhythm to this design.